Ice maker water fill control

ABSTRACT

An ice maker having electrical control means for automatically controlling the making of ice bodies such as in a home refrigerator. The electrical control includes a switching mechanism having adjustable means for varying the amount of water delivered to the ice maker tray to correspondingly vary the size of the ice bodies formed in the apparatus.

O Un ted States Patent [1 1 [111 3,779,032 Nichols 1 1 Dec. 18, 1973[54] [CE MAKER WATER FILL ROL 3,391,258 7/1968 Vimoche, .lr. 299/153 113 3,727,015 4/1973 Voland et al. 200/166 .1 [75] lnvemo Duane CrNlchols Evansvme, Ind 2,758,170 8/1956 Jordan 200/166 J 73 Assignee; w iCorporation, Benton 3,018,340 1/1962 Eggert et a1. 200/38 Harbor, Mich.

. Primary Examiner-Wil1iam E. Wayner [22] Filed' A 1972 AssistantExaminer-William E. Tapolcai, Jr. [21] Appl. N0.: 277,324 Attorney-JamesS. Nettleton et al.

[52] US. Cl 62/233, 200/38 C, 200/153 LB, [57] ABSTRACT 200/ 166 .l 511Int. Cl. F25c 1/04 make havmg elemcal means. [58] Field of Search62/233. ZOO/38 C tomatically controlling the making of ice bodies such AJ 153 as in a home refrigerator. The electrical control includes aswitching mechanism having adjustable [56] References Cited means forvarying the amount of water delivered to the ice maker tray tocorrespondingly vary the size of UNlTED STATES PATENTS the ice bodiesformed in the apparatus. 3,299,656 1/1967 Linstromberg et al. 62/2332,359,780 10/1944 Muffly 62/233 8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures illi/I11 1ICE MAKER WATER FILL CONTROL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION adjusted toeffect a control of the quantity of water delivered to the tray.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,340 of Eggert et al. for an Electric SwitchMechanism, a switch is disclosed having a variable positioned membercarrying a spacer cooperating with a dropcam to effect a desired controlof the open and closed conditions of contacts carried on a pair ofassociated switch blades. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,212,386 of D. G. Cameronfor a Time Switch, a leaf switch is illustrated having means forcontrolling the operation thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improvedelectrical control for an ice maker mechanism having an improvedadjustable switching mechanism to provide a variable control of thedelivery of water to the ice maker tray. The invention furthercomprehends an improved tray arrangement for facilitating the flow ofwater from the delivery means to the different compartments of the trayso as to form uniform ice bodies in'the' different compartmentsnotwithstanding a substantial variation in thesizes thereof ascontrolled by the .water delivery means.

More specifically, the adjustable switching mechanism includes cam meanshaving a sequential arrangement ofa first high portion, a low portion,and a second high portion, a support means adjacent the cam means, afirst spring blade cantilevered from the support means and havingadistalend biased to slidingly ride on the cam high portions and drop into thecam low portion, a second spring blade cantilevered from the supportmeans and having a distal end biased to engage the first blade distalportion when the first blade distal portion is riding on thezcam-highportions, the blades including portions at the'distal ends providingelectrical contact between the engaged blades, a first spring controlblade cantilevered from the support means and having a distal enddisposed between the first spring blade distal end and'the c'am means,the control blade distal end terminating preselected fixed distanceshort of the termination of the first spring blade distal end tending todrop into the cam low portion a preselected time prior to the droppingthereinto of the first spring blade distal end, spacer means on thefirst control blade for engaging the second spring blade to space thecontact portions apart whenever the first control blade distal end isdisposed outwardly of the cam high portions and allow the contactportions to engage when the control blade distal end has dropped intothe cam lowportion and the first spring blade distal end continuesdisposed outwardly of the cam first high portion, the contacts beingspaced apart when the first spring blade distal end subsequently dropsinto the cam low 2 portion with the control blade distal end droppedtherein, an adjustable support means, and a second spring control bladecantilevered from the adjustable support means and having a distal enddisposed between the distal end of the first control blade and the cammeans, the second control blade distal end riding on the cam highportion to delay the dropping of the first control blade distal portioninto the cam low portion where the second control blade is adjusted toproject forwardly beyond the distal end of the first control bladeand topermit the dropping of the first control blade distal end into the camlow portion when the first blade distal end termination reaches the camlow portion and the second blade distal end is adjusted to extend nofurther than to the termination of the first control blade distal end. i

, The adjustable support means may be provided with a rotatably knob orlever for manual control by the user. The control provides a maximumdelivery time by the fixed position of the first control blade with thesecond control blade functioning solely to variable reduce the waterdelivery time from the maximum. Thus, the control effectively precludesoverfilling of the tray.

More specifically, the tray construction desirably used with the abovedescribed adjustable switch mechanism is defined by a bottom wall, sidewalls upstanding from the periphery of the bottom wall definingtherewith a water receiving space, and divider walls upstanding from thebottom wall dividing the space into a plurality of compartments, thedivider walls including a plurality of transverse walls extending fromside to side of the space, and, if desired, one or more longitudinalwalls extending from end to end of the space the upper edges of thetransverse walls adjacent one side wall of the tray defining concaveweirs located closely adjacent said one side wall, and when alongitudinal wall is incorporated the upper edges of the transversewalls at the side of the longitudinal wall opposite said one side walldefining concave weirs located approximately midway between thelongitudinal wall and the opposite side wall and the upper edge of thelongitudinal wall when incorporated defining concave weirs, wherebywater delivered into one of the compartments may flow readily over theweirs to each of the other of said compartments. When more than onelongitudinal wall is incorporated the transverse walls define concaveweirs approximated midway between adjacent longitudinal BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view of a refrigeration apparatushaving an automatic ice maker provided with a switching mechanism andtray means embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged elevation with portions broken awayillustrating the switching mechanism in an of arrangement;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged elevation with portions broken awayillustrating the switching mechanism in an on arrangement forenergizying the water fill solenoid to deliver water to the ice makertray;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged elevation with portions broken awayillustrating the switching mechansim in a subsequent of arrangement upontermination of water delivery;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevation of the ice maker tray; and

FIG. 6 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line 6-6 ofFIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment ofthe invention as disclosed in the drawing, a refrigeration apparatusgenerally designated 10 is shown to include an automatic ice makergenerally designated 11 which may be mounted in the freezer compartment12 of the refrigeration apparatus normally closed by a suitable door 13.The refrigeration apparatus may comprise a dual function refrigeratorhaving a conventional above-freezing temperature refrigeration space 14also suitably closed by a conventional door 15.

The automatic ice maker includes a control 16 for automaticallycontrolling the forming and harvesting of ice bodies in tray 17 whichreceives water from a water fill line 18 controlled by an electricsolenoid valve 19 conventionally referred to as the water fill solenoid.The water is delivered into tray 17 with the tray opening upwardly, asshown in FIG. 1, and upon completion of the freezing ofthe ice bodiestherein, is harvested by rotating and twisting the tray freeing of theice bodies from the tray walls and continued rotation of the tray todrop the ice bodies into the subjacent collecting bin 20.

It is desirable to vary the amount of time valve 19 is open to providedifferent size ice bodies. Further, because of differences in waterpressure, it may be desirable to vary the valve open time to obtain adesired size ice body. The present invention is concerned with animproved switching mechanism for use in control 16 providing an improvedfacilitated control of the solenoid valve 19. The invention furthercomprehends an improved tray construction permitting substantialuniformity in the ice body size notwithstanding a substantial variationin the selected size.

The refrigeration apparatus is shown schematically as such apparatus iswell known to those skilled in the art. Briefly, the apparatus maycomprise conventional refrigeration apparatus including a compressor 21,a condenser 22, a flow restrictor capillary 23, a duct 24 connectingfrom the capillary 23 to the evaporator 25, and a duct 26 for returningrefrigerant fluid from the evaporator to the compressor.

Control 16 includes a motor driven timing cam 27. One switchingmechanism associated with cam 27 comprises the adjustable water fillcontrol switching mechanism generally designated 28. Switching mechanism28 includes a support 29 provided with a pair of terminals 30 and 31 andis adapted to be connected to the solenoid valve 19 for electricalcontrol thereof. A first spring blade 32 is cantilevered from support 29and in cludes an outer distal end 33 provided with an electrical contact34. Spring blade 32 is formed of electrically conductive material and isconnected to terminal 30. A second spring blade 35 is cantilevered fromsupport 29 and includes a distal end 36 provided with a contact 37.Spring blade 35 is formed of electrically conductive material and isconnected to terminal 31 so that when the contacts 34 and 37 are inengagement, an electrical circuit is completed to energize the solenoidvalve 19 in the conventional manner.

Cam 27 includes a first high portion 38, a low, or drop, portion 39, anda second high portion 40. Spring blade 35 is biased to engage camportions 38 and 40 and to drop into cam low portion 39, and spring blade32 is biased to cause contact 34 to engage contact 37 when second springblade 35 is disposed over the cam high portions.

Control of the engagement of contacts 34 and 37 is effected herein bymeans of a pair of control blades, a first control blade 41 and a secondcontrol blade 42. As shown in FIG. 3, control blades 41 and 42 arebiased to extend downwardly into the cam low portion 39. First controlblade 41 is fixedly cantilevered from support 29 to have its distal end43 underlie distal end 36 of second spring blade 35. First control blade41 carries adjacent its distal end 43 a spacer element 44 having ashoulder 45 engageable with th distal end 33 of first spring blade 32.

Second control blade 42 is cantilevered from an adjustable carrier 46 tohave its distal end 47 disposed adjacent the tip, or outer termination,48 of first control blade 41 and serves as an adjustable extension oftip 48 to vary the control of the opening and closing of switch contacts34 and 37.

More specifically, carrier 46 defines a first cavity 49 receiving acylindrical operator 50 which is eccentrically rotatable about the axisof a shaft 51 manually controlled by a knob 52 (FIG. 1) or lever on thefront of ice maker control 16. Rotation of knob 52 causes swinging ofoperator 50 about the axis of shaft 51 to urge the carrier 46 between anoutermost maximum position shown in broken lines in FIG. 4, and aninnermost minimum position shown in full lines in FIG. 4. The carrierincludes a guide portion 53 movable over a guide 54 carried on support29 to guide the second control blade 42 in a longitudinal movementparallel to the longitudinal extent of first control blade 41. In theforwardmost disposition of-control blade 42, the tip 55 of control blade42 is spaced forwardly of the tip 48 of control blade 41 a maximumamount. In the rearmost disposition of the control blade 42, the tip 55is disposed rearwardly of the tip 48 of control blade 41. By selectivecontrol of the carrier 46 through the operation of knob 52, the user mayvary the disposition of the control blade tip 55 of the control blade 42infinitely between these two limits.

The control 16 may include a wall portion 56 provided with a slot 57receiving a finger 58 on the carrier 46 to cooperate with guide 54 tocontrol the rectilinear movement of the carrier as discussed above.

The operation of adjustable switching mechanism 28 a is extremelysimple. The control blades 41 and 42 ride on the high portion 38 of cam27 as it is rotated in a counter clockwise direction 'as seen in FIG. 2until the portion of the automatic ice maker cycle is reached whereinwater is to be delivered into the tray 17. Where the control blade 42 isadjusted to project beyond the tip 48 of the control blade 41, the tip55 of control blade 42 rides on the cam portion 38. Where the controlblade 42 is adjusted to be retracted outwardly from the tip 48 ofcontrol blade 41, tip 48 of control blade 41, as well as tip 55 of blade42, rides on the cam portion 38. In either case, the spacer 44 oncontrol blade 41 is disposed to maintain spring blade 32 spacedoutwardly from blade 35 to maintain electrical contacts 34 and 35disengaged, as shown in FIG. 2.

When rotation of the timing cam 27 proceeds to the point where the mostforwardly projecting tip of the control blades 41 and 42, i.e. eithertip 48 of blade 41, or tip 55 of blade 42, riding on cam surface 38falls therefrom into the low portion 39 ofthe cam 27, spacer 44 movesdownwardly with control blade 41 to space shoulder 45 thereof fromspring blade 32 and permit the normal biasing of spring blade 32 tocause contact 34 to engage contact 37 to complete the electrical circuitthrough terminals 31 and 30 thereby energizing the electrical solenoidvalve 19 and initiating water fill of the tray 17.

Valve 19 is energized open until the tip 59 of second spring blade 35falls from high cam portion 38 into low cam portion 39 upon subsequentfurther movement of cam 27 whereupon, as shown in FIG. 4, spring blade35 moves away from spring blade 32 into the cam low portion 39 therebydisengaging contact 37 from contact 34 and breaking the circuit to thewater fill solenoid valve 19.

Further rotation of cam 27 causing the control blades 42 and 41 andspring blade 35 to ride up onto second high cam surface 40 causes spacer44 to again urge spring blade 32 outwardly to maintain contacts 34 and37 spaced apart in the arrangement shown in FIG. 2.

Thus, adjustable switching mechanism 28 functions to provide a maximumwater fill delivery time determined by the effective distance betweenspring blade tip 59 and control blade tip 48. Adjustment of controlblade 42 to project outwardly, or forwardly, of control blade tip 48adjustably shortens this time be permitting tip 55 of control blade 42to define an adjustable extension of tip 48 of control blade 41. Thus,manual control of the switching mechanism by operation of knob 52 iseffective to vary the amount of water delivered to the tray from apreselected fixed maximum to an adjustable minimum. By fixing themaximum water fill time, overlilling of the tray by accidentalmisadjustment of the control is effectively precluded. It is to beappreciated that, if desired, the minimum switch closure time can bereduced to zero, so that no water is added to the tray. 1n the event theminimum switch closure time can be adjusted to zero" then provides theoperator cam effectively shut-off the ice maker as desired such as whenan ample supply of ice cubes is on hand.

The adjustable switching mechanism 28 is extremely simple and economicalof construction while yet providing the improved water fill controldiscussed above.

As briefly indicated above, where a substantial variation in the size ofthe ice bodies is desired as permitting by the adjustable switchingmechanism 28 in controlling the water fill solenoid valve 19 to providea wide variation in the delivery time, it has been found necessary toprovide an improved water distribution means in the tray 17, asillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thus, as

6 shown therein, tray 17 is defined by a bottom wall and peripheralupstanding side walls 61, 62, 63, and 64 (FIG. 1), defining a space 65in which the ice bodies are formed from the water delivered thereintothrough the solenoid valve 19. The space 65 is divided into a pluralityof smaller compartments 66 by suitable dividing walls upstanding fromthe tray bottom wall 60 including a plurality of transverse dividingwalls 67 and a longitudinal wall 68. As a matter of choice, more thanone, or no, longitudinal dividing walls like 68 may be provided. Thedividing wall 67 adjacent the lefthand side wall 61 are provided withupwardly opening concave V-shaped wiers 69 which, as shown in FIG. 5,are aligned parallel to the longitudinal wall 68 substantially midwaybetween dividing wall 68 and side wall 61. The dividing walls 67 to theright of the dividing wall 68 are provided with similarly upwardlyopening concave V- shaped weirs 70 which are aligned parallel to thelongitudinal wall 68 and which are disposed closely adjacent the sidewall 62. The longitudinal dividing wall 68 is provided with a pluralityof upwardly opening concave V-shaped weirs 71 substantially midwaybetween the respective transverse walls 67.

Thus, water from the solenoid valve 19 may be delivered through asuitable duct 72, as shown in FIG. 1, to one of the compartments 66 atthe rear of the tray and, illustratively herein, is delivered to theleft rear compartment 66 to flow therefrom over the respective weirs 10and 71 in the adjacent dividing walls into the next compartments 66 andthence over the supsequent weirs 69, 70 and 71 successively to each ofthe other compartments to substantially uniformly fill all of thecompartments at least to the level of the bottom of the V-shaped weirs69 and 70. Typically, weirs 70 are lower than the other weirs during thewater filiing operation because the tray is still rotating and the weirs70 are on the low side of the tray as it rotates to a horizontalposition. Thus, tray 17 is adjustably adapted for use with the improvedwater fill control discussed above to provide substantially uniform sizeice bodies during each ice making operation while yet permitting asubstantial variation in the selected size as controlled by the usersmanipulation of the knob 52 of control 16.

Further, adjustable switching mechanism 28 effectively precludesoverfilling the tray 17 as well as underfilling the tray by the controlof the maximum and minimum water fill operation as discussed above. Asthe control knob 52 is readily accessible, adjustment of the water filltime is facilitated so that improved control of the ice making operationmay be effected such as during low water pressure times and wheredifferent size ice bodies are desired from those normally desired by theuser, etc.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of thebroad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

1 claim:

1. An ice maker having a tray and control means inlcuding an adjustableswitching mechansim for controlling delivery of water to the tray as afunction of the time contact portions of said switching mechanism are inengagement to vary the level of water in the tray, said switchingmechanism comprising:

cam means having a sequential arrangement of a first high portion, a lowportion, and a second high portion;

support means adjacent said cam means;

a first spring blade cantilevered from said support means and having adistal end biased to slidingly ride on said cam high portions and dropinto said cam low portion;

a second spring blade cantilevered from said support means and having adistal end biased to engage said first blade distal portion when saidfirst blade distal portion is riding on said cam high portions, saidblades including contact portions at said distal ends providingelectrical contact between said engaged blades;

a first spring control blade cantilevered from said support means andhaving a distal end disposed between said first spring blade end andsaid cam means, said control balde distal end terminating a preselectedfixed distance short of the termination of said first spring bladedistal end tending to drop into said cam low portion a preselected timeprior to the dropping thereinto of said first spring blade distal end;

spacer means on said first control blade for engaging said second springblade-to space said contact portions apart whenever said first controlblade distal end is disposed outwardly of said cam high portions andallow said contact portions to engage when said control blade distal endhas dropped into said cam low portion and said first spring blade endcontinues disposed outwardly of said cam first high portion, saidcontacts being spaced apart when said first spring blade distal endsubsequently drops into said cam low portion with said control bladedistal end dropped therein;

an adjustable support means; and

a second spring control blade cantilevered from said adjustable supportmeans and having a distal end disposed between said distal end of thefirst control blade and said cam means, said second control blade distalend riding on said cam first high portion to delay the dropping of saidfirst control blade distal portion into said cam low portion when thesecond control blade is adjusted to project forwardly beyond the distalend of said first control blade and to permit the dropping of said firstcontrol blade distal end into said cam low portion when said first bladedistal end termination reaches said cam low portion and said secondblade distal end is adjusted to extend no further than to thetermination of said first control blade distal end.

2. The ice maker of claim 1 wherein said adjustable support meansincludes manual operating means for selectively positioning said secondcontrol blade.

3. The ice maker of claim 1 wherin said adjustable suport means includesa rotatable knob adapted to be manipulated by the user for selectivelypositioning said second control blade to thereby vary the time thecontact portions are in engagement.

4. The ice maker of claim 1 wherein said adjustable support means isarranged to adjust the second control blade longitudinally parallel tosaid first control blade.

5. The ice maker of claim 1 wherein said adjustable support meansincludes stop means for limiting the forward positioning of said secondcontrol blade to preclude extension thereof beyond the termination ofsaid first spring blade distal end.

6. The ice maker of claim 1 wherein said adjustable support means isdisposed adjacent said first named support means.

7. The ice maker of claim 1 wherein said adjustable support means andsaid first named support means include cooperating guide means.

8. The ice maker of claim 1 wherein said adjustable support means isarranged to retract said second control blade distal end to short oftermination of said first control blade distal end.

Po-wso UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION v PatentNo. 3,779,032 Dated December 18, 1973 Inventor(s) DUANE C. NICHOLS It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent -and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 1, col. 7, line 12:

insert "distal" between "blade" and "end".

Claim 1, col 7, line 13:

correct spelling of "balde" to "blade".

Claim 1, col. 7, line 25:

insert "distal" between T"blade" and "end".

Claim 3, correct spelling of "wherin" to "wherein".-

Claim 8, insert "the" before "termination".

Signed and sealed this 9th day of April 197M.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETGHER,JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents po-wso UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6? CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPatent 3779'032 Dated I December 18, 1973 Inventor(s) V DUANE C. NICHOLSIt is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 1, col. 7, line 12:

insert "distal" between "blade" and. "end".

Claim 1, col. 7, line 13:

correct spelling of "balde" to "blade".

Claim 1, col. 7, line 25:

insert "distal" between "blade" and "end Y Claim 3, correct spelling of"wherin" to "wherein". Y

Claim 8, insert "the" before "termination Signed and sealed this 9th dayof April 19714..

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD .MFLETCHERJR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. An ice maker having a tray and control means inlcuding an adjustableswitching mechansim for controlling delivery of water to the tray as afunction of the time contact portions of said switching mechanism are inengagement to vary the level of water in the tray, said switchingmechanism comprising: cam means having a sequential arrangement of afirst high portion, a low portion, and a second high portion; supportmeans adjacent said cam means; a first spring blade cantilevered fromsaid support means and having a distal end biased to slidingly ride onsaid cam high portions and drop into said cam low portion; a secondspring blade cantilevered from said support means and having a distalend biased to engage said first blade distal portion when said firstblade distal portion is riding on said cam high portions, said bladesincluding contact portions at said distal ends providing electricalcontact between said engaged blades; a first spring control bladecantilevered from said support means and having a distal end disposedbetween said first spring blade end and said cam means, said controlbalde distal end terminating a preselected fixed distance short of thetermination of said first spring blade distal end tending to drop intosaid cam low portion a preselected time prior to the dropping thereintoof said first spring blade distal end; spacer means on said firstcontrol blade for engaging said second spring blade to space saidcontact portions apart whenever said first control blade distal end isdisposed outwardly of said cam high portions and allow said contactportions to engage when said control blade distal end has dropped intosaid cam low portion and said first spring blade end continues disposedoutwardly of said cam first high portion, said contacts being spacedapart when said first spring blade distal end subsequently drops intosaid cam low portion with said control blade distal end dropped therein;an adjustable support means; and a second spring control bladecantilevered from said adjustable support means and having a distal enddisposed between said distal end of the first control blade and said cammeans, said second control blade distal end riding on said cam firsthigh portion to delay the dropping of said first control blade distalportion into said cam low portion when the second control blade isadjusted to project forwardly beyond the distal end of said firstcontrol blade and to permit the dropping of said first control bladedistal end into said cam low portion when said first blade distal endtermination reaches said cam low portion and said second blade distalend is adjusted to extend no further than to the termination of saidfirst control blade distal end.
 2. The ice maker of claim 1 wherein saidadjustable support means includes manual operating means for selectivelypositioning said second control blade.
 3. The ice maker of claim 1wherin said adjustable suport means includes a rotatable knob adapted tobe manipulated by the user for selectively positioning said secondcontrol blade to thereby vary the time the contact portions are inengagement.
 4. The ice maker of claim 1 wherein said adjustable supportmeans is arranged to adjust the second control blAde longitudinallyparallel to said first control blade.
 5. The ice maker of claim 1wherein said adjustable support means includes stop means for limitingthe forward positioning of said second control blade to precludeextension thereof beyond the termination of said first spring bladedistal end.
 6. The ice maker of claim 1 wherein said adjustable supportmeans is disposed adjacent said first named support means.
 7. The icemaker of claim 1 wherein said adjustable support means and said firstnamed support means include cooperating guide means.
 8. The ice maker ofclaim 1 wherein said adjustable support means is arranged to retractsaid second control blade distal end to short of termination of saidfirst control blade distal end.